Landscape with Tree

The work Landscape with Tree, created by Mitterer (Unknown, 19th century) in 1802, is an accomplished early example of lithography that consciously adheres to the aesthetic framework of the 17th-century master Claude Lorrain (French, 1600-1682). Executed as a lithograph in black on paper, this highly detailed print was produced at a crucial moment in art history, coinciding with the rapid adoption of Alois Senefelder's new reproductive process. The piece successfully translates the atmospheric depth and balanced compositions of the classical landscape tradition into the nascent medium of lithography.

Although biographical information regarding Mitterer remains sparse, the artist demonstrated a keen understanding of the conventions of the idealized landscape. Characteristic of the style Mitterer imitated, the composition features carefully rendered elements, using the medium’s capacity for rich, velvety blacks and nuanced gray tones to suggest dramatic light and shadow. This particular work originates from the culture of France, reflecting the nation's profound and enduring admiration for Lorrain's art, which remained the benchmark for landscape representation well into the 19th century.

The existence of this work, classified as a fine print, highlights the pivotal role of new technologies in disseminating established artistic styles during the Romantic era. Today, as an early lithograph, the image offers insight into the development of the medium and the commercial spread of art. This significant piece is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, contributing to the museum's extensive holdings of prints and drawings, and is recognized today as a valuable public domain resource for art historians and researchers.